How many times? I really don't know. It's not something I see too frequently that it's cliche. Also, this show is showing the transition from everyday regular society to the zombie apocalypse. Of course it's going to have standard, relatable characters and settings at first.
Seems we have differing ideas of what makes an interesting show.
I found that to be one of the worst episodes of season 1.
Both the other show and the comics have the same thing, though. I believe Kirkman's even stated something about it, but don't quote me on that. The people in this universe don't know what zombies are, basically.
I assumed he was joking, but who knows.
I really hope they don't go somewhere like that, and I'm really surprised at some of the expectations I'm reading about. I don't know what else you guys expected from a show about regular society succumbing to the zombie outbreak. Of course it's going start with normal society. Of course it's going to get crazier as time goes. They even started it with the first episode. Did anyone else notice all of the emergency vehicle sirens all over throughout the episode? There was an atmosphere of stuff going on and building behind the scenes and it hasn't boiled over yet, but it will.
I've seen a good amount of zombie stuff, as well, and I thought the show was fantastic.
I don't understand what point you are trying to make here. How would or should the characters behave differently if we the audience know a different monster is going to destroy their world? Unless you're making a criticism that all horror-monster-destroys-humanity stories are generic and the same, this doesn't make sense as a criticism of this show.